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Strip Rules
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Expected 18 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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In this raucous, high-stakes heist novel, a down-and-out card counter gets the chance to turn his life around by taking down a ruthless Vegas casino boss.
Blackjack pro Ronnie “the Technician” Redfield, the “most feared card counter between Vegas and Reno,” has his life blown up when a casino owner decides to take him down. Card counting isn’t illegal—since thinking isn’t illegal, yet—but the court battle costs Ronnie, a Vietnam vet, his livelihood, his sobriety, and his family. His wife is dead and his teenage daughter, Margot, has disappeared without a trace.
Now, three years later, he’s just about dug himself out of his hole. He’s living in a trailer outside Vegas when his old army buddy “Wild” Bill Grimsley, now a casino handler for high rollers, shows up in a limo to drag Ronnie back into the action. Bill has a revenge plot to take down Rodrigo Gwynne, the nastiest, most exploitative casino owner on the Strip. Bill’s grudge is personal, but Ronnie’s involvement will be strictly professional. All he has to do is what he does best: make money off the house. If he succeeds, Ronnie’s share of the take will be enough to get his life back on track—and hire a detective to track down Margot.
To infiltrate Gwynne’s casino, Ronnie assembles a team of misfit geniuses, blackjack pros who excel at role-playing or flying under the radar. The plan is off to a raring start, the card counters evolving their strategy through every new setback, when intimidation erupts into deadly violence. Ronnie could lose everything—was his comeback worth the risk?
Cult favorite crime novelist Martin Limón, author of the Sueño & Bascom series, shines in his first-ever stand-alone, drawn from his own experiences at the blackjack table.
Blackjack pro Ronnie “the Technician” Redfield, the “most feared card counter between Vegas and Reno,” has his life blown up when a casino owner decides to take him down. Card counting isn’t illegal—since thinking isn’t illegal, yet—but the court battle costs Ronnie, a Vietnam vet, his livelihood, his sobriety, and his family. His wife is dead and his teenage daughter, Margot, has disappeared without a trace.
Now, three years later, he’s just about dug himself out of his hole. He’s living in a trailer outside Vegas when his old army buddy “Wild” Bill Grimsley, now a casino handler for high rollers, shows up in a limo to drag Ronnie back into the action. Bill has a revenge plot to take down Rodrigo Gwynne, the nastiest, most exploitative casino owner on the Strip. Bill’s grudge is personal, but Ronnie’s involvement will be strictly professional. All he has to do is what he does best: make money off the house. If he succeeds, Ronnie’s share of the take will be enough to get his life back on track—and hire a detective to track down Margot.
To infiltrate Gwynne’s casino, Ronnie assembles a team of misfit geniuses, blackjack pros who excel at role-playing or flying under the radar. The plan is off to a raring start, the card counters evolving their strategy through every new setback, when intimidation erupts into deadly violence. Ronnie could lose everything—was his comeback worth the risk?
Cult favorite crime novelist Martin Limón, author of the Sueño & Bascom series, shines in his first-ever stand-alone, drawn from his own experiences at the blackjack table.
224 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Martin Limón
46 books107 followersMartin Limon retired from U.S. military service after 20 years in the Army, including a total of ten years in Korea. He and his wife live in Seattle. He is the author of Jade Lady Burning, which was a New York Times Notable Book, Slicky Boys and Buddha's Money.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and soho press for allowing me to review this book for my honest opinion.
I need to read more casino books!! This book had me intrigued by the first chapter. This book gave me ocean 13 vibes I am not a gambler but I found this book very interesting and learned a lot about black jack 😂 I would recommend this book
I need to read more casino books!! This book had me intrigued by the first chapter. This book gave me ocean 13 vibes I am not a gambler but I found this book very interesting and learned a lot about black jack 😂 I would recommend this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a ride. Everyone loves a good con story, and this book delivers. Looking through the eyes of our main character Ronnie, you are taken to the highest highs and the lowest lows of being a card counter in Vegas. The cast of characters are highly intelligent lovable oddballs. You definitely won't see all the twist and turns.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews